Most fractional CFO engagements in South Florida run between $3,000 and $10,000 per month on a retainer basis. Hourly arrangements typically fall in the $200 to $500 per hour range, though these are less common for ongoing advisory relationships. Project-based work like financial modeling for a funding round or due diligence support gets priced separately based on scope.

The wide range exists because fractional CFO means different things to different businesses. A company that needs weekly cash flow forecasting, board meeting preparation, and active involvement in strategic decisions requires more time than one that needs monthly performance review and quarterly planning sessions. The scope drives the price more than anything else.

Business complexity matters too. A straightforward professional services firm with predictable revenue needs less CFO attention than a multi-entity structure with inventory, multiple revenue streams, or complex intercompany transactions. Wholesale and distribution businesses or companies with significant capital expenditure decisions typically land on the higher end of the range.

South Florida rates tend to sit above national averages. The concentration of established businesses in Palm Beach County, Broward, and Miami-Dade creates demand for experienced financial leadership. Cost of living in the region also factors in. You can find cheaper options, but the experience level usually explains the discount.

Compare this to hiring a full-time CFO, which runs $200,000 to $400,000 annually in total compensation for someone qualified enough to actually add value. Fractional makes sense when you need the expertise but not forty hours a week of it. Most growing businesses fall into this category until they reach significant scale.

What you should actually care about is what the engagement includes. Fractional CFO and advisory services should cover strategic planning, financial forecasting, cash flow management, and decision support. The CFO should understand your industry and bring real experience to the table. Someone who just produces reports you could get from your bookkeeper isn’t providing CFO-level value regardless of what they charge.

Before engaging anyone, get clear on what you need. If your books are a mess and you need someone to fix historical records and establish processes, that’s controller or cleanup work, not CFO work. If you need help interpreting your numbers, planning for growth, and making better financial decisions, that’s where a fractional CFO earns their fee.